THE BOOK OF JOB Introduction AUTHOR : The name Job (Jo'ob; “ persecuted ” or “ hated ”) is identified with those who are patient under trials and sufferings. Although Job is the main character of the Book of Job, he does not state that he is the author. Job appears to be a narrative written about Job and therefore, there are many suggestions for the authorship of this book. These include one of Job’s friends, Elihu, Moses, Ezra, Solomon. Some scholars believe that the patriarch Job himself may have written an account of his experiences in the second person narrative form but this is uncertain. Elihu, first mentioned in Job 32 , is the youngest of Job’s “ miserable comforters and the last one to speak. The idea that Elihu may be the author is based on Job 32:16–17 : So Elihu, the son of Barachel the Buzite, answered and said:…..“They are dismayed and answer no more; Words escape them. And I have waited (because they did not speak, because they stood still and answered no more). I also will answer my part; I too will declare my opinion.— Job 32:6, 15-17 This is not said in the context of a narrative, but the author is expressing his own thoughts in the first person. Then the conversation resumes and it is Elihu who is speaking. This indicates that Elihu may have been the author of the book. Beyond that not much more is known as to who the author may be. It is important to remember that the uncertainty in authorship of this book does not discredit its message nor does it negate its theological teachings such as the resurrection of the body and the origin of the heavens and earth. PLACE : Job was a dweller in the land of Uz { Job 1:1 }. According to the “TABLE OF NATIONS ” in Genesis 10 , Uz is listed as one of the sons of Aram, son of Shem, son of Noah. This makes him the great-grandson of Noah. He may have given his name to an area of the Middle East that was later inhabited by Job. The Jewish historian, Flavius Josephus ( Ant. 1.6.4 ), states the tradition that Uz founded the cities of Trachonitis 1 and Damascus [which is the oldest continuously inhabited city in the Middle East]. Therefore, Uz may have been located somewhere between Damascus on the North and Edom on the South; that is, somewhere in the plains located in modern-day Syria or Jordan. There are also arguments advocating the location of Uz being in Arabia but these have lesser historical and archeological merit. 1 A region located in southern Syria east of the Jordan River, on an island of rocky outcroppings which is approximately 20 by 30 miles and rises 20—30 feet above the plains of Bashan. The region is known by several names. Historically it was known as Argob and in the Bible it is called Trachonitis {Luke 3:1 }. In addition, its modern-day title has multiple spellings in English, including Lajat, Lejat and Lajah and El-Leja. 1 Introduction to Job Copyright © Klaus Schiessel December 2013 AUTHENTICITY : That Job was a historical person is attested by the prophet Ezekiel and the apostle James: “Even if these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they would deliver only themselves by their righteousness”, says the Lord GOD…….“Or if I send a pestilence into that land and pour out My fury on it in blood, and cut off from it man and beast, even though Noah, Daniel, and Job were in it, as I live”, says the Lord GOD, “they would deliver neither son nor daughter; they would deliver only themselves by their righteousness". —Ezekiel 14:14, 19-20 As an example, brethren, of suffering and patience, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. We count those blessed who endured. You have heard of the endurance of Job and have seen the outcome of the Lord's dealings, that the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful.—James 5:10-11 The apostle Paul quotes Job 5:13 in 1 Cor. 3:19 . 2 DATE : Interestingly, the name “Job” appears in the Berlin Execration Texts as the name of a certain prince in the region of Damascus in the nineteenth century BC. This would date the events and possibly the writing of the book during the time of the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac and Jacob [2000—1800 BC.]. The location of this archeological find is consistent with the geographical location of the land of Uz. This dating of the Job narrative is consistent with the fact that none of the major actions that God performed such as the Exodus from Egypt, the parting of the Red Sea or the Mosaic Law [e.g. priesthood] are mentioned or even alluded to. This indicates that Job probably lived prior to this, during the time of the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, sometime between 2000-1800 BC and approximately 400-600 years after the flood. Furthermore, like Abraham, Job's wealth was measured in flocks and herds. Also, in patriarchal fashion, Job's married children were a part of his household, living in separate tents but subject to his rule as leader of the family clan. One additional fact supports the idea that Job lived during the time of the Patriarchs is his long age [140 yrs] { Job 42:16 }. On the other hand, some believe the book dates from the era of Solomon c. 1000 BC (Franz Delitzsch; Keil) because it is written in narrative prose and thus bears similarities to the creative writing period referred to as the “golden age” Hebrew Wisdom Literature 3. It also contains ideas similar to parts of Proverbs [cp. Job 15:8; 28 with Prov. 8 ]. Therefore the story of Job, his misfortunes and his repentance and restoration, which probably happened during the time of the Patriarchs [Abraham, Isaac and Jacob], may have been passed down by word of mouth from generation to generation for several hundred years until written down by an unknown writer during David or Solomon's time, thus assuring the preservation of this wonderful narrative for all future generations. In summary, a reasonable solution to dating this book is that the narrative relates to events that happened to a man named Job who lived around 1900 BC [during the time of Abraham] but were not written down until about 1000 BC [during the time of Solomon]. 2 Bulletin of the American Schools of Oriental Research 82 [1941]: 36. 3 Some scholars date the composition of the book to as late as 450—400 BC (Eissfeldt; Volz); about the time the people of Israel returned from the captivity in Babylon. A few date the book even later, around the third century B.C. (Cornill). However, these latter views have little basis in either a historical or archeological facts and reflect more of a bias of the scholar. 2 Introduction to Job Copyright © Klaus Schiessel December 2013 PURPOSE . There are several purposes that one can site for the Book of Job. But the ultimate purpose or point of the Book of Job is to teach us that even a “good” person needs to humble himself/herself and repent before a sovereign and almighty God. In a way Job was acting like Satan when he refused to acknowledge his own pride and stubbornness. Until he came to a point of humbling himself and repenting, Satan would have his way with him. Note the following scriptures: But He gives more grace. Therefore He says 4: “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble”. Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.— James 4:6-10 Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble” 4. Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.— 1 Peter 5:5-10 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.— 1 John 2:16-17 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil . For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.— Ephesians 6:10-13 HOW DOES A BELIEVER RESIST THE DEVIL ? BY REMAINING FAITHFUL AND HUMBLE ! The Book of Job also teaches us that God is good, just, and fair in His dealings.